The original EU target that 10% of all road transport fuel should come from renewable sources by 2020 did not set limits for crop biofuels.

A committee of the European Parliament has now voted to limit such fuels to 6% of the 10% target.

At least 4% of the total will have to be achieved using electricity or hydrogen from renewable sources, or from second-generation biofuels from waste or non-food crops.

Green MEP Claude Turmes, of Luxembourg, welcomed the decision.

"While the maintenance of a binding target for biofuels is a bitter pill to swallow, the committee has at least strengthened the safeguards against the damaging impact of agri-fuels in this directive," he said.